YORK cruiserweight Jamie Warters has seen his preparations hit after his scheduled opponent Michael Pinnock withdrew for the second time.

Warters, who will now face Daventry's Phil Day at the KC Stadium tomorrow night, had first been due to take on the Birmingham journeyman Pinnock a fortnight ago, only for a neck injury to rule out the 37-year-old.

That saw Darren Ashton, who was originally pencilled in as tomorrow's opponent, called in to take Pinnock's place, with the 37-year-old given an extra two weeks to get ready to take on the Jorvik Warrior.

However, Pinnock, who has been used as a trial horse to up-and-coming fighters during his 71-fight career, has again withdrawn at late notice, forcing boxing matchmakers to call in the unpredictable Day.

Warters' trainer/manager Steve Pollard told the Evening Press: "We've had to change the bout with Phil Day coming in. I don't know what has happened to Pinnock, that is not for me to sort out.

"It is up to the matchmakers to organise the fights and for the fighters to knock down whoever is put in front of them.

"This kid is in the same class as Pinnock so I do not expect our plans to change. I'm expecting Jamie to do a job on him."

Day has had a mixed career winning eight, losing seven and drawing one, but like Warters, he has had long periods of inactivity since his first professional fight in 1995.

Day lasted just two rounds before the referee stopped his last fight, with the power of highly-tipped David Haye too much for him. But a better marker for Warters will be the fact that Day could only draw with Ashton, the Stoke brawler who the 'Warrior' comfortably beat on points.

Despite the change of opponents, Pollard is expecting another strong, vocal contingent of fight fans from York to make the short trip across to Hull.

"We are hoping to see some more fans across from York to cheer Jamie on," added Pollard. "The reception he got at the Willerby Manor fight was great and showed the interest is there.

"Hopefully they can make it at great atmosphere at the KC Stadium."

Anyone interested in purchasing a ticket/s for the fight, should ring (01904) 708709.

Updated: 11:18 Wednesday, April 16, 2003